8B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - December 6, 2004 49ers put cagers' offense to sleep 0 WRESTLING Win City: Blue hits jackpot in Las Vegas By Matt Venegoni Daily Sports Writer Going into Friday's game, Michi- gan coach Cheryl Burnett thought that her team needed to refocus. But after the 60-47 loss, it looks like things are still a little fuzzy for the Wolverines. With less than six minutes to go in the second half, Michigan clawed back to within five points of Charlotte, 50-45, on sophomore Kelly Helvey's free throw. Unfortu- nately, the Wolverines would only score once more in the game. Michigan (2-3) struggled all game to keep up with the 49ers. Helvey's free throw pushed the Wolverines to within striking distance, but the more experienced Charlotte team took control and kept Michi- gan from gaining momentum. The 49ers went on a 6-0 run while hold- ing the Wolverines scoreless over a five-minute stretch that started after Helvey's free throw. Senior Tabitha Pool's layup with 0:57 left was Michigan's only score in the final 5:50. "We could not get into any kind of flow," Burnett said. "We made some silly decisions offensively, but I give credit to Charlotte for keeping us off balance." Michigan played tentatively from the start of the game. Charlotte's speed, combined with its swarm- ing defense, forced six Wolverine turnovers in the game's first three minutes. These early troubles left Michi- gan scoreless over that period. Charlotte (6-0) did a good job of disguising its traps, which seemed to disrupt the young Wolverines. "Charlotte did some things that I as a coach, did not have time to prepare for," Burnett said. "They really changed their defenses a lot, Season ends for sp irs in Texas did some different kinds of pres- sure, and really gave us a major wakeup call to some things that we need to do." Michigan's defense kept it in the game, holding Charlotte 24 points under its season average. The 49ers entered the game shooting 44 per- cent from the field and averag- ing 83.4 points. Charlotte had just 30 first-half points on 29 percent shooting, but with two offensive threats - Helvey and freshman Ta'Shia Walker - in foul trouble, the Wolverines could not take advantage. "When Kelly got a quick second foul that really affects our perim- eter play," Burnett said. "We were still getting some good looks offen- sively, but, if we can get back to hitting these easy shots, that will really help our confidence." Pool's shooting struggles - she made just 4-of-17 shots from the field - compounded the offensive problems. With Pool and Walker struggling, Michigan turned to freshman Janelle Cooper for a much needed offensive spark. The fresh- man answered with a team-high six first-half points and brought Michi- gan back from an eight-point defi- cit to within four - 23-19 at the 4:07 mark. But Charlotte responded with a 7-0 run to end the half and led 30-19. "We really could not have played a worse offensive half," Burnett said. "We really didn't perform well offensively from a strategic point." Michigan came out after halftime with more intensity, especially on defense and on the boards. Michi- gan got back into the game behind many second chances and seven second-half steals. But just like the first half, Charlotte weathered the comeback. The 49ers took advantage when Michigan shot just 1-for-10 in the last six minutes and turned the ball By Seth Gordon Daily Sports Writer Lastyear,Michigantookanexperienced wrestling team to Las Vegas, went 0-for-4 in championship matches and finished in second place at the Cliff Keen Invitational. This year, No. 5 Michigan went 4-for-4 in title contests to earn its second Cliff Keen championship in four years. "I think we are just more relaxed," junior Mark Moos said. "We are having a better time just being around each other, and we're not getting too serious too early (in the season)." Moos (125 pounds), fifth-year senior Ryan Bertin (157 pounds) and junior Greg Wagner (heavyweight) all won individual titles after losing in the final round last year. The fourth win this year came from junior Ryan Churella in the 165-pound weight class. "I think we've changed our training style upa little bit," Churella said. "It's not as structured in the beginning of the sea- son. We're focused more on technique and not as much on hard-nosed practices every day. It has given us a chance to relax a bit more and adapt to our own styles (individ- ually), I think our guys are just wrestling a little more aggressive this year, too." Churella prevailed in the 165-pound division after finishing third at 149 pounds last year. The junior dominated fourth- seededNate Yetzerof Edinboro, 7-1, in the championship match. "He is really coming into his own," Michigan coach Joe McFarland said. "He has really grown into his weight and has started to mature into that 165 weight class. He was outstanding in all aspects of his wrestling. He wrestled really well on his feet and well on the mat, especially in the top position." Seededthird,Mooswonhistitlebybeat- ing wrestlers ranked ahead of him, includ- ing top seed, and No. 3 in the country, Vic Moreno of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. "He was determined coming into this tournament, that he was going to win," McFarland said. "He put together some outstanding matches. He wrestled great from the quarterfinals all the way to the finals." Bertin, a two-time captain and the 2002-03 NCAA champion at 157 pounds, broke through for his first championship at the meet in four tries. Bertin finished in third, sixth and second in the last three years, respectively. In the championship match at heavy- weight, Wagner faced top-seeded Matt Feast of Pennsylvania, whomhe had never beaten in three matches. Wagner scored two takedowns in the final period to beat Feast, 8-5. The Wolverines also earned points from sophomore Eric Taanebaum's third-place performanceat149poundsandjuniorNick Roy's fifth-place finish at 174 pounds. Michigan entered the second day of the tournament with a slim three-point lead over Nebraska in the team competition after finishing second to the Corhuskers last year. "I was really impressed with how the guys competed," McFarland said. "They wrestled tough all weekend. As the tour- nament progressed, they continued to stay focused and wrestle with great intensity. That's how you win championships." The Wolverines struggled to advance wrestlers deep into tournaments down the stretch last year, not just in the Cliff Keen Invitational but the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments as well. "We didn't have a strong finish in this tournament last year," McFarland said. "I think that's the difference between last year's team and this year's team. We fin- ished much stronger - guys are wrestling with muchmore confidence." The win gave the Wolverines their sec- ond championship in two weeks (they won the BodysBarInvitationalon Nov. 20). But Michigan's main goal remains the Big Ten and NCAA championships. "This is all training - we want to be ready at the end of the year," McFarland said. "That's one ofthe things we're talking about and we're concentrating on. We're going toenjoythis forabout24 hours, then we're going toputitbehind us." Michigan will host Cleveland State on Friday in its last meet before the holiday break. Freshman Janeile Cooper was 4-of-12 for 10 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in 35 minutes against Charlotte on Friday night. over twice. Pam Brown paced the "I just think that with the aca- 49ers with her 17 points and eight demic pressure with the last week rebounds. of classes we took Saturday off," With a key three-game homestand Burnett said. "We wanted to try coming up, Burnett and the rest of to keep us fresh for a very good the staff hope to refocus the team. UNLV team." 'M' enjoys success in two states By H. Jose Bosch DailySports Writer' One of the most memorable and pro- lific seasons in Michigan volleyball history tX55tt5 5ZI55O55ay came to an end on Saturday night as the Michigan's Katie Bruzdzinski had 12 kills against Texas in the NCAA Tournament. Wolverines lost 3-1 to No.11 Texas in the second round of the NCAA tournament. edge in digs (66-59). But Michigan could first two games, which they split with Before Saturday's match, Michigan not overcome its errors - eight service the Owls. Then Michigan turned on the was 1-8 against ranked teams, many times errors and zero aces in game two, and 15 afterburners and rolled over Rice 30-23 being its own worst enemy and falling service errors overall. in game three thanks to an efficient .704 behind early in matches. Saturday's match "We were trying to pinpoint our serves attack percentage and five of their 15 was not much different. more than anything, to go after the libero," blocks. Despite once again struggling in the first senior Lisa Gamalski said.' That kind of Michigan got off to a strong start two games, Michigan came out strong in hurt us because we were worried about in the fourth and deciding game. game three and cut Texas' lead to 2-1. where we were going to serve rather than Rice came within one at 15-14 but But Michigan could not carry its putting (the ball) in aggressively." trailed the rest of the game. The Wol- momentum into game four. Texas senior The Wolverines could not side out verines' final two points were tallied Mira Topic came alive and helped lead consistently in game one against the by Cobler - a kill and a service ace the Longhorns to a comfortable lead, 20- Longhorns. Despite a 6-0 run that - improving Michigan's first-round 14. The Wolverines, led by senior Jennifer brought Michigan within four at 18-14, record to 5-1 and setting themselves Gandolph, answered with a 5-2 run. Later, the Longhorns cruised to an easy 30-19 up for a second round match-up a kill from freshman Katie Bruzdzinski victory. against Texas. and a block by freshman Lyndsay Miller Game two was much closer. Texas "(Rice) is real hard to play," Rosen pulled Michigan withintwo, 23-21. jumped on Michigan early for a second said. "I felt for the girls. The first two Michigan had an uphill battle from that straight game and held a six- point lead,22- games (we played) tight. The third and point on but was able to tie the game at 28 16. The Wolverines then went on a 7-1 run forth game we came out and played real thanks to back-to-back kills from Bruzdz- to tie the game. Michigan had a chance to well." inski and Gandolph and a killfrom sopho- serve for its first lead of the match but put The nervousness of such a big game more Erin Cobler after a timeout. Texas the serve into the net. The teams continued didn't seem to affect Bruzdzinski and senior Bethany Hoyden stepped to the ser- going back and forth, but the Wolverines Gandolph. Bruzdzinski led the team vice line for game point after another Texas committed another service error late in the with a career-high 24 kills, while Gan- kill and served up her fifth service ace of game and lostrmomentum, dropping game dolph tallied 17. the match to win the game 30-28 and push two 30-27. "(Katie is) fearless, and I love that the Longhorns into the Sweet 16. "I'm proud of how our team played," about her," Gamalski said. "And that's "(When you) have a higher hitting per- Rosen said. "Ourkids came in and played how she plays ... They both played amaz- centage and you out-defend your opponent, hard. They were down 2-0 and fought to ing that night." you expect to win the match," coach Mark get back into the match." With the loss to Texas, Michigan fin- Rosen said. The weekend started on a good note ished the season 20-13 - only the sec- The Wolverines did out-hit their oppo- Friday night when Michigan went head- ond time in school history the team has nent. Their defense was stellar, as they out- to-head against Rice in the first round. had back-to-back 20-win seasons. The blocked (17-9) the Longhorns and had an The Wolverines looked sluggish in the last time was in 1980-81. By Dan Ketchel Daily Sports Writer Depth. It's one thing that the Michigan women's swimming and diving team has that not many other swimming teams can brag about. The Wolverines' depth allowed them to compete in mul- tiple meets over the weekend, taking first place overall at the Eastern Michigan Invitational in Ypsilanti while also taking a total of five top-10 individual finishes at the U.S. Open in San Antonio, Texas. While the majority of thesteamwascapturing its second straight team victory at Eastern Michigan, three qualifying swimmers accompanied by Michigan coach Jim Richardson ventured to Texas to compete on a national level. Sophomores Lindsey Smith and Susan Gilliam took turns as top performers, collecting five total top-10 finishes, giving each of them NCAA-consideration times and qualifying them for both the World Championship Tri- als and the Summer National Championships. Smith had a top-10 finish on each of the three days of com- petition. She started off Thursday with a seventh-place finish in the 50-meter freestyle, and then took ninth in the 200-meter freestyle and 10th in the 100-meter freestyle on Friday and Sat- urday, respectively. Gilliam showed similar success, using her endurance to place high in the longer freestyle events. She took sixth place in the 400-meter freestyle on Thursday and rounded out the competition on Saturday with another impressive finish: seventh in the 800-meter freestyle. Senior Erica Watts, the other long-distance traveler for the Wolverines, made the tripbut failed to place in the top-10 against the strong nationwide butterfly competition she faced. Watts came in at 35th in the 200-meter butterfly and 45th in the 100- meter butterfly. One of the hardest parts of the journey was being without the bulk of their teammates, who were taking care of busi- ness in Michigan. "It's certainly a little tougher for a small group to go away because there's a lot less team energy," Richardson said. "One of the great aspects of our team is the energy we draw from each other. They miss a team full of people there cheering for them. That kind of energy is special." Theteam energy for Michigan was clearly presentin Ypsilanti this weekend where the Wolverines, led by assistant coach Ste- fanie Kerksa, stole the show. After the first day of competition, Michigan sat poised to take the title, resting in second behind the tournament hosts. The Wolverines (2-0 Big Ten, 2-1) took first place in 11 of the final 13 events to clinch the tournament for the second consecutive year. With 1,091 points at the end of competition, Michigan finished atop the list of nine teams par- ticipating. "I have a lot of confidence in Stefanie," Richardson said. "So sending the team with her to Eastern, I (didn't) think (they would) miss a beat. I know they'll be well coached and well taken care of. I'm fortunate to have someone like her to be able to trust and rely on." With Kerksa standing in as coach, the Wolverines unleashed a barrage of incredible performances. They came out with a spring in their step on day two, ready to pounce on the Eagles and swim away as tournament champs by tak- ing first place in the first five events. They won the 200-yard medley relay with the team of junior Carolina Sierra, fresh- man Valeria Silva, sophomore Kaitlyn Bfady "Add 'sesi Tracy Egnatuk. This group came in almost four seconds before the Michigan 'B' relay team that came in second. Next, freshman Justine Mueller and Brady led consecu- tive sweeps for the Wolverines in the 400-yard individual medley and the 100-yard butterfly, respectively. Adding to Michigan's early success were first-place finishes by junior Abby Seskevics in the 200-yard freestyle and Silva in the 100-yard breaststroke. Other notable performances were first-place finishes on Fri- day by Brady in the 200-yard backstroke and Mueller in the 200- yard breaststroke. The two also had another pair of victories the next day, with Brady taking the 50-yard freestyle and Mueller taking the 200-yard individual medley. Richardson, although happy to win as a team, was more pleased with the individual results and how well each of his ath- letes swam when given the opportunity. "I'm not concerned about points," Richardson said. "I'm just watching the swims and seeing what each person is doing well and what they could do better. Addressing those things in prac- tices the following week is important. I really don't think about winning meets. It's fun to win and all that. Ijust don't think about it a whole lot." Sophomore Susan Gilliam finished sixth in the 400-meter freestyle on Thursday and seventh in the 800-meter on Saturday. ly Tankers prove selves against top talent By Anne Ulble where I'd thought they'd be at this point in the sea- the event. Daily Sports Writer son," Bowman said. "The level of competition was "Peter had a great race on Thursday in the 500," very high, and, of the top teams in the country, there Bowman said. "He never ceases to impress me with Fourth place has never felt so good. was a pretty good showing of the immense strength his abilities." With 16 top-10 finishes, six automatic NCAA- that we are going to be up against throughout the On the second day of competition, Michigan fell qualifying times and seven NCAA-consideration entire season. I think we really proved ourselves this one spot to fifth place after placing first in just one times, Michigan men's swimming coach Bob Bow- weekend." event: the 800-yard free relay. man couldn't be happier with a fourth-place team The Wolverines opened the first day of competi- On Friday, the final day of competition, the Wol- finish at the Texas Invitational. tion on Thursday, placing fourth with 169 points. verines rebounded to fourth place with wins in the "It wasn't just our three marquee swimmers per- The influx of points reflected fast swims fromjunior 200-yard butterfly by junior Davis Tarwater and forming at the elite level," Bowman said. "Everyone Peter Vanderkaay in the 500-yard freestyle and on 200-yard backstroke by junior Chris Dejong. really stood up and had some incredible swims." both the 200-yard freestyle relay and 400-yard med- "Dejong and Tarwater were just fantastic this This weekend, the No. 9 Wolverines compet- ley relay teams. weekend," Bowman said. "They are in very ed in the Texas Invitational at the Joe and Lee In possibly the most exciting event of the week- good shape and have done some good work up Jamail Swimming Center in Austin. The Wol- end, Vanderkaay swam to a win in the finals of to this point." verines finished the three-day event in fourth the 500-freestyle by out-touching Southern Cal's The past weekend concluded Michigan's competi- place with 471 points, just 26 points behind Ous Mellouli and Larsen Jensen, who tied for tion until Jan. 4, when the team is scheduled to swim third-place Southern Cal. Host Texas took the second place. Mellouli led throughout the entire against Southern Cal. for its first of three meets in title with 764.5 points. mid-distance event. With just two laps remaining California. Over break, the Wolverines will travel to The meet was a powerhouse matchup of 12 teams, in the 20-lap race, both Vanderkaay and Jensen Irvine, Calif., for winter training. including four of the top five in the nation. Bowman inched up on the leader and made a sprint for the "We're going to be working on some technical was impressed with the efforts of his team against wall. Vanderkaay was able to edge out both Tro- details over the break," Bowman said. "We're going top-level competition so early in the year. jans by just 0.11 of a second. His time of 4:15.32 to try and refine some of the kinks and get ready for "The team really surpassed my expectations of was the fastest time in the country this year in the tough schedule ahead of us." JuniorDavisTarwaterwonthe 200-yard backstroke and 200-yard butterly atthe Texas invite.